Hydrangea Tuff Stuff

* Common name: Hydrangea Tuff Stuff

* Botanical name: Hydrangea serrata ‘MAK20’

* What it is: A common complaint of hydrangeas is that they don’t bloom, which is usually a result of a cold winter or ill-timed pruning that sacrificed the flower buds. Tuff Stuff looks like a traditional lacecap-type hydrangea but blooms much more reliably since it’s a mountain-hydrangea species (native to colder hilltops) rather than the more common lower-elevation, big-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Tuff Stuff flowers deep pink in alkaline soil and purple-blue in acidy soil. Peak bloom is June, but this one also reblooms in fall and has very good disease resistance.

* Size: Grows about 3 feet tall with a 4-foot spread.

* Where to use: Ideal site is along an eastern house foundation or in dappled-sun or part-shade location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade.

* Care: No pruning needed so long as size is OK. If size control or thinning is needed, best time to prune is immediately after the June peak bloom finishes. Browned flower heads can be snipped off any time.

An annual spring scattering of a balanced, organic granular fertilizer is helpful but usually not necessary. Scatter sulfur or similar acidifying fertilizer in spring and early fall to produce blue flowering instead of pink.

Keep soil consistently damp the first year to establish the roots, then soak weekly during hot, dry spells.

* Great partners: Pair with brunnera Sea Heart or Silver Heart or any blue-leafed hosta. Leadwort is a good groundcover partner.